Korean: Asking How Long Delivery Takes (Intermediate)
Learn to ask how long delivery takes in Korean, understand express options, and use natural patterns like 얼마나 걸려요? and 언제 도착해요? with polite forms.
By SofiaGetting around · Yapr Learn
When you order something in Korean, the most useful question is not just "when will it arrive?" but "how long does it take?" This lesson teaches the core pattern 얼마나 걸려요? (eolmana geollyeoyo?), which asks about time duration, and pairs it with delivery vocabulary such as 배송 (baesong, delivery), 도착 (dochak, arrival), and 빠른 배송 (ppareun baesong, express delivery). You will practice asking about standard and express shipping, understanding the answer, and choosing the right politeness level for a shop, a delivery app, or a customer service call.
By the end, you can…
- ask how long delivery takes using 얼마나 걸려요?
- ask when a package will arrive with 언제 도착해요?
- understand and ask about express delivery options in Korean
- use polite and honorific forms appropriately when speaking to a delivery agent or shop staff
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
배송은 얼마나 걸려요?
How long does delivery take?
baesong-eun eolmana geollyeoyo?
The most common neutral-polite question. Use it in shops, apps, and with customer service.
언제 도착해요?
When will it arrive?
eonje dochakhaeyo?
Asks for the arrival time rather than the duration. Good when you already know it is coming soon.
빠른 배송도 돼요?
Is express delivery available too?
ppareun baesong-do dwaeyo?
Asks whether an express option exists. 도 here means 'also/too'.
내일까지 받을 수 있어요?
Can I receive it by tomorrow?
naeil-kkaji badeul su isseoyo?
Use 까지 for 'by/until' a deadline. Very useful when you need a specific date.
배송비는 얼마예요?
How much is the delivery fee?
baesongbi-neun eolmayeyo?
Asks about the shipping cost, not the time. Useful to avoid confusion with time questions.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
The key pattern is [noun] + 은/는 얼마나 걸려요? meaning 'How long does [noun] take?' For delivery, say 배송은 얼마나 걸려요? (baesong-eun eolmana geollyeoyo?). 걸려요 comes from 걸리다, 'to take (time).' You can swap the noun: 설치 (installation) → 설치가 얼마나 걸려요? because 설치 ends in a vowel and takes 가. So: 배송은 얼마나 걸려요? / 설치가 얼마나 걸려요? The answer often uses the same verb: 이틀 걸려요 (it takes two days).
When to use it
Use 얼마나 걸려요? when you want a duration, such as 'two days' or 'three hours.' Use 언제 도착해요? when you want a point in time, such as 'tomorrow' or 'Friday.' In a delivery app, you may see 도착 예정 (estimated arrival) and 배송 조회 (delivery tracking). If you need speed, ask 빠른 배송도 돼요? (Is express available?) or 오늘 출발하면 내일 도착해요? (If it ships today, will it arrive tomorrow?). For polite customer service, you can say 배송이 얼마나 걸리는지 알려 주세요 (Please tell me how long delivery takes).
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
안녕하세요, 이 상품 배송은 얼마나 걸려요?
Hello, how long does delivery take for this item?annyeonghaseyo, i sangpum baesong-eun eolmana geollyeoyo?일반 배송은 이틀 정도 걸리고, 빠른 배송은 내일 도착해요.
Standard delivery takes about two days, and express delivery arrives tomorrow.ilban baesong-eun iteul jeongdo geolligo, ppareun baesong-eun naeil dochakhaeyo.그럼 빠른 배송으로 주문할 수 있어요?
Then can I order with express delivery?geureom ppareun baesong-euro jumunhal su isseoyo?네, 가능합니다. 오늘 오후 2시 전에 주문하시면 내일 받으실 수 있어요.
Yes, it's possible. If you order before 2 p.m. today, you can receive it tomorrow.ne, ganeunghamnida. oneul ohu du-si jeone jumunhasimyeon naeil badeusil su isseoyo.A little context goes a long way
Korean delivery culture often emphasizes speed, and same-day or next-day delivery is common in large cities. When speaking to staff, the polite -요 style is safe in shops, while customer service may use more formal -습니다/-ㅂ니다. Avoid demanding 빠른 배송 in a casual tone; use a question form like 빠른 배송도 가능할까요? to sound considerate.
One thing to watch for
Using 얼마예요? (How much is it?) when you mean 'How long does it take?'
Try this instead: 얼마예요? asks about price. For time, use 얼마나 걸려요? Example: 배송은 얼마나 걸려요? (How long does delivery take?) not 배송은 얼마예요? (How much is delivery?).
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How do you ask 'How long does delivery take?' in polite Korean?
Show a sample answer
배송은 얼마나 걸려요?
This uses 배송 (delivery) + 은 (topic marker) + 얼마나 걸려요? (how long does it take?). 배송이 얼마나 걸려요? is also acceptable, with a slightly different nuance.
2You want to know if express delivery is possible. What do you say?
Show a sample answer
빠른 배송도 돼요?
빠른 배송 means 'express delivery,' and 도 돼요? asks 'is it also possible?' You could also ask 빠른 배송도 가능해요? with the same meaning.
3A shop says 일반 배송은 이틀 걸려요. What does that mean?
Show a sample answer
Standard delivery takes two days.
일반 배송 means 'standard delivery,' 이틀 means 'two days,' and 걸려요 means 'takes (time).' The answer is about duration, not arrival time.
For delivery time, remember the pair: 얼마나 걸려요? asks duration, 언제 도착해요? asks arrival time. Add 빠른 배송도 돼요? when you need express options.
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